Mark Gregson wrote:
> > > The one fly in the ointment is that rural students fair much poorly. > > A quote from the report: > "Alberta students did exceptionally well: Rural students outscored even the urban >ones of all other provinces except B.C., Quebec and Newfoundland." > > So there you have it, folks. Albertan farmers are smarter than your average city >slicker. Apparently my children's school, which is in a small town of about 1,000, >scores up near the top academically. Others have noted this and swamped the school >this year with requests to have their children attend there even though they don't >live in the school district. The school had to turn away many. > Minor fly in the ointment, of course: Alberta city students did better than their urban counterparts. But still, with comprehensive, province-wide testing in place, and a sense of direct accountability to stakeholders, that's how we're able to keep our educational system consistently amongst the best in the world. No magic, and nothing no other jurisidiction couldn't do. Well, okay, that crisp winter air does clear the mind a bit before an algebra exam... > > But I'm very surprised about Newfoundland. They have earned their reputation >honestly, from my experience, so I'm flabbergasted that they scored so well. > Newfoundland has a complex school system which I won't get into here, but again, they have province-wide exams. And I think that's a major key. Not the magic button, but a sine qua non (a necessary but not sufficient condition). Here's a little known factoid for y'all. The yacht that is currently in first place to challenge the US in the America's Cup, comes from that great seafaring nation.....Switzerland. They found a company in St. John's (which is nothing if not surrounded by sea, and has experience as a port going back over 400 years), which specializes in modelling hull shapes mathematically, and also has big water tanks for actual testing. It's believed the Swiss boat has a much better hull, which responds best under all conditions, and if anyone will be the US, it will be the Swiss. Wouldn't that be something? They'd have to appoint someone an admiral just to present the award...... > > ========= Mark Gregson [EMAIL PROTECTED] ========= -- Marc A. Schindler Spruce Grove, Alberta, Canada -- Gateway to the Boreal Parkland �Man will occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of the time he will pick himself up and continue on� � Winston Churchill Note: This communication represents the informal personal views of the author solely; its contents do not necessarily reflect those of the author�s employer, nor those of any organization with which the author may be associated. ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// /// ZION LIST CHARTER: Please read it at /// /// http://www.zionsbest.com/charter.html /// ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// ==^^=============================================================== This email was sent to: [email protected] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?aaP9AU.bWix1n.YXJjaGl2 Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^^===============================================================
